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Bass identity
- Thread starter David Prokop
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- bass
Yep! That's the one. Forgot how weird looking those were. Only saw one person ever playing one.
Okay, this picture was probably Nov. 1972 at Moon High School (Moon Township, PA). I see shortly after that time they came out with a record label called Moon Records. The band used the name Speed-O-Meter. We all had garage bands back then and this has been bugging me for a long time.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
It's interesting how he's looped his strap over the lower 'bout'. I do the same playing my T-birds as it pulls the bass into your body stabilizing it and preventing neck-dive.
Rutsey had longer hair in that time period and it wasn't curly like that. Of course I could be wrong.
Above: Rush publicity photo
Above: Rush publicity photo
The Tin Man and Henry Gloval are looking dope as hell, but that pantsuit means business on bass.
Fellow western PA resident here (Natrona Heights born and raised)... Wow, could it be possible that Rush played at Moon High School?
Not if it was 72 or 73, they didn't play in the US until 74 from everything I've read.
Also, they were more or less established by then, at least in Canada. Why would they go by "Speed-O-Meter?"
I also still don't think that looks like Alex L. on guitar.
I looked around to see if Geddy ever had or played a Jetstar and found zilch. Not that this means anything.
I don't know but it has been bugging me for years...It was a three piece band with the bass player single very high notes & playing songs no one could dance to. Not sure why, it was Rush, why they would use the name Speed-O-meter.
Only thing I can think of is maybe if they were getting known in Canada as Rush they didn't want to play a PA high school under that name? It's possible.
Yeah, like Geddy was the only longhaired bassist in 1972-73 wearing platform shoes. That is not John Rutsey on the drums in your photo. I'm almost positive it's not Alex.
Where does the photo come from? Is it a yearbook? Any old classmates share your memories better?
Not really, after looking at the photo more I'd say that isn't Geddy either. Unless he was moonlighting with another band playing secret High School gigs under a silly name.
Yep, this picture was right out of our 1973 yearbook. But I was there...a couple of classmates didn't remember but I remember a lead single of one of the class bands mocking the singing style during the "dance." I read somewhere where a drummer by the name of Gerry Fielding??? filled in before Peart.
I don’t think it’s Geddy or the band. They did play my high school though when my older brother was attending it. They were supposed to play there again when I was about 15 but I knew it wasn’t going to happen. They had simply gotten too big to play at schools by then.
